Boss fight usually occurring after a major revelation in the plot (e.g., about 2/3 into the game). Usually notable for being a long and difficult battle... that is, if it isn't a HopelessBossFight.

In a game which has only one battle music for normal battles and one for most bosses, a climax boss may have its own unique battle music, a distinction otherwise reserved for a FinalBoss.

Note that to qualify for this trope, the boss must be at least somewhat of a challenge; if they're a complete pushover, that's AntiClimaxBoss. However, the boss fight does not have to be overly difficult, and a [[ThatOneBoss particularly difficult boss fight]] does not qualify as a ClimaxBoss unless it comes at a climactic point in the plot. {{Final Boss}}es also do not qualify, nor do bosses fought very close to the FinalBoss; ideally a ClimaxBoss would take place somewhere around the two-thirds or three-quarters mark, not nine-tenths.

Contrast AntiClimaxBoss, ThatOneBoss, FinalBoss. Inversion is TheUnfought, where this kind of battle is set up, but never happens. [[AccidentalInnuendo It isn't usually required to beat them in]] OrgasmicCombat.----!!Examples

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Action Adventure Game]]* Nightmare in ''VideoGame/{{Metroid}} Fusion'', who was foreshadowed throughout most of the game. [[spoiler: ''Other M'' retroactively makes it even more of a Climax Boss, as it's revealed Samus encountered it before.]]* The battle with [[spoiler:Frenzied Toroko]] in ''VideoGame/CaveStory'' mixes this with a heaping helping of PlayerPunch for even more of a dramatic effect.** And then there's the Core fight, which comes after a minor plot revelation and is followed by a more important one. Plus, it's got its own BGM track, loads of creepy atmospheric build-up, and is followed by both a PlayerPunch and a fork in the road.* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'':** The wizard Agahnim, in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast''. Link [[HijackedByGanon only]] ''[[HijackedByGanon thought]]'' [[HijackedByGanon he was the]] BigBad.** Helmaroc King in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker''. It being the kidnapper of Link's sister, Aryll, as well as having kidnapped other girls and overall terrorizing the Great Sea. But it's only [[BigBad Ganon's]] seccond-in-command.** Zant from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'' fills much the same role, complete with a BossRush in his battle before a crazed and desperate finale.** Byrne fulfills this role in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSpiritTracks'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aytSMb0xVo unique theme]] and all.** Yuga is this in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkBetweenWorlds'', appearing in Hyrule Castle as a boss with a very similar backstory and battle to Agahnim in A Link to the Past. It's after he's defeated that Link actually learns about Lorule and the captured sages.* The "White Assassin" in ''[[VideoGame/MirrorsEdge Mirror's Edge]]'' is actually the only actual boss fight in the game. The after-fight cutscene also makes it the [[WhamEpisode Wham Level]].* ''{{Okami}}'' has two Climax Bosses: {{Orochi}} and [[EvilCounterpart Ninetails]]. Both brings a new revelation: [[spoiler:Orochi's death causes all the other bosses to be let loose upon the world, and Ninetails reveals the existence of [[UltimateEvil Yami.]]]]%%* [[spoiler:Barlowe]] in ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaOrderOfEcclesia''.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Action Game]]* The final battle with the Blood Ark in ''VideoGame/AnotherCenturysEpisode 3'', at the end of the middle stage of the game. While it is a battle against the FinalBoss pilot, and it has the first use of a specific boss battle theme, it is almost laughably easy, since your forces have been getting upgraded, and the villain is using the same mech he had at the beginning. The climax comes from the removal of his [[SubvertedTrope unusually]] [[PaperThinDisguise obscuring]] [[MaskPower mask.]]* Darth Vader in ''VideoGame/TheForceUnleashed''. In the Wii/[=PS2=] version, the second duel with [[spoiler:Kento Marek, aka., Galen's father]] may count as well.** And for the future DLC, [[spoiler:OBI-WAN KENOBI AND LUKE SKYWALKER!]]* Several in ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath''. Each of them is an episode all on their own, or at least have a fight that lasts most of the episode. The fights against Yasha, Augus, Olga's fleet, and [[spoiler:Wrath Asura]] are probably the best examples.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Beat 'em Up]]* The first Shredder fight in ''[[VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTurtlesInTime Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time]]''. Once he's defeated, the actual time-travel part of the game begins.* ''NinjaGaiden II'' (the original NES version) has a climax boss in Ashtar, who we initially believe is the BigBad behind the game. Ryu defeats him about halfway through the game, but the threat posed by the Dark Sword of Chaos isn't over yet, and the true BigBad turns out to be Jacquio, who you defeated in the very first game, and who has revived himself using the Power of Evil. The same FinalBoss music is used for both major battles.* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWar II'', Lakhesis and/or Atrophos, two of the Sisters of Fate. (Clotho, the third sister, is more of a PuzzleBoss.)** Subverted in the original game. Not only were there not a lot of actual boss fights (plenty of [[KingMook big mooks]] though), but [[strike:most of them]] every last one of them except [[FinalBoss Ares]] [[GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere seemed to just randomly appear out of nowhere]].** Also subverted in ''III'', where the real turning point of the game's plot ([[spoiler:finding and freeing Pandora]]) isn't done with a boss fight at all, but a puzzle. [[BizarrePuzzleGame Seems to be a common theme in this series.]] (Though some might suggest the rock scorpion would qualify as this trope.)[[/folder]]

[[folder:First Person Shooter]]* The Über-Soldat and, to a lesser extent, Olaric in ''[[VideoGame/Wolfenstein3D Return to Castle Wolfenstein]]''.* Ugh Zan III in ''SeriousSam - The First Encounter''. Probably the tallest boss at its time in first-person shooters.** Except that he's the FinalBoss. In First Encounter, the Uber Lava Golem may qualify. In Second Encounter, it's that horrid larva mech thing.* ''{{Halo}} 2'': The Prophet of Regret.** Unless you just jump on his chair and punch him in the face, then he's a textbook Anti-Climax Boss.** The Heretic Leader is another example, although he's only the first boss, he's the hardest of the three, at least on Legendary.** Legendary co-op turns all the boss fights into {{That One Boss}} instead. The Heretic leader becomes the easiest because if you get lucky, you can assassinate him in one hit. The Prophet of Regret is a absolute nightmare (you have to watch out for his teleporting chair. If his giant laser (one shot kill) doesn't get you, the grenade spamming grunts will. If they don't, then the elites (both dual wielding plasma pistols AND using swords) sure will. On top of that, if you are skilled/fast/lucky enough to survive all three, your partner had better damn well be too. The final boss almost seems EASY after that.* In ''Halo 3'', the DualBoss against two Scarabs and the assault on the Citadel can count. On the other hand, Truth is hyped up to be this [[spoiler:[[TheUnfought but he just gets killed by the Arbiter in a cutscene.]]]]* ''VideoGame/{{Strife}}'' has The Programmer. Most of the game to this point had been preparing to [[DiscOneFinalDungeon storm his castle]]. During his fight, you are introduced to [[SwordOfPlotAdvancement The Sigil]] and spend the rest of the game collecting its components from his colleagues.* Vaas in ''VideoGame/FarCry3''.* The Cyberdemon in ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}''. It was even featured on the sequel's cover![[/folder]]

[[folder: Platform Game]]* [[spoiler:X vs. Zero]] in ''VideoGame/MegaManX 5''. This battle is built up by four games' worth of storyline (even included in a ''prophecy'', or something close to one for a sci-fi series), gives genuine conflict to the characters involved, and one of their deaths brings about the ''end of the series'' ([[ExecutiveMeddling supposedly]]). The [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome awesome]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eFI0UFfAJE battle theme]] cements its status as one of the best battles in the ''X series'' (some say even the ''entire Mega Man'' continuity).* The Egg Viper in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure''. To a degree, the Egg Walker too, but it's pretty easy.** E-101 Mark II qualifies as well, and possibly Alpha/ZERO. They each get their own unique themes and act as the final bosses to their side-stories.* The 3D Mario games have Bowser or Bowser Jr. fights throughout, unlocking new levels after each one.** While ''Sunshine'' followed a somewhat different formula, the ClimaxBoss was Mecha-Bowser, which is followed by the reveal of Shadow Mario's identity. [[spoiler:It's Bowser Jr.]]* In a way, Ludwig von Koopa serves as one for ''VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld'': he's the fourth of the seven Koopalings and the only one whose attack pattern isn't recycled, and he guards the bridge that connects Dinosaur Land's two major continents.* ''VideoGame/KirbysReturnToDreamland'' gives us [[FeatheredFiend Grand Doomer]], whose defeat triggers the completion of the Lor Starcutter and the group arriving at Halcandra.* ''VideoGame/SpyroYearOfTheDragon'' gives us Scorch, the boss of the penultimate world, Evening Lake. The cutscene before the fight gives a major plot revelation: [[spoiler:[[BigBad The Sorceress]] is NOT a WellIntentionedExtremist, which she reveals to [[TheDragon Bianca]]. Bianca, this [[NotWhatISignedUpFor Not Being What She Signed Up For]], finally performs her HeelFaceTurn.]] Anyway, the Sorceress needs a "Monster to End All Monsters" so she takes one of her minions, as she and Bianca have done twice already, but this one is unique. Unlike previous times, this minion is frightened and needs to be pushed over by his partner. Also, you don't see the boss in the cutscene this time. Then, we get to the actual fight, in which Bentley tells Spyro that the Sorceress is going to use Scorch to crush her enemies, starting with them. The fight is fairly challenging, though many cite it as easy. The reason is that the previous boss is considered by many to be one of the hardest fights in the game, and an optional mini-boss in a recent level is considered to be one of the most annoying.* Despite being the penultimate boss, Metal Sonic serves this role in ''VideoGame/SonicCD''. Prior to this point, Metal kidnapped Amy Rose and changed the past to help Dr. Robotnik rule the future, leaving Sonic to spend the entire game undoing his actions. When Sonic finally confronts him, they duke it out in a style of BossBattle previously unseen in this series, racing, along with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTl3h39abxc appropriate]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRcR0v6I_w8 music]].[[note]]The former plays in the PAL region, the latter in the NTSC region.[[/note]] This race concludes with Sonic finally rescuing Amy and defeating Metal, with only Robotnik left to oppose him. It's arguably the most [[SignatureScene memorable]] moment of the game, as well as the most [[ThatOneBoss challenging]].[[/folder]]

[[folder: Rhythm Game]]* [[ThatOneBoss Purge the King]] from SpaceChannel5 Part 2.* In ''VideoGame/RhythmThiefAndTheEmperorsTreasure'', Raphael starts learning that Napoleon has plans greater than simply unleashing his minions and stealing things. His investigation takes him to the courtyard in Versailles--where Napoleon himself shows up and challenges Raphael to a duel. They both live to see another day, but the game gets [[ShooOutTheClowns considerably darker and more serious from his duel onwards]]. [[/folder]]

[[folder:Role Playing Game]]* [[spoiler:Seymour Natus in Bevelle]] and later [[spoiler:Yunalesca in Zanarkand]] in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''.* Atma/Ultima Weapon in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI''. He comes in right at the end of the [[spoiler:The Floating Continent]] and has a boss theme that plays four times (his appearance being the first time, the subsequent ones against the Warring Triad) in the game.* Saturos in ''VideoGame/GoldenSun''.** Agatio and Karst in the sequel, which incidentally is the only boss fight you're allowed to lose.* ''Franchise/KingdomHearts'':** The fights against Dragon-Maleficent and [[spoiler: Possessed!]]Riku in ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsI''.** ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsChainOfMemories'' has two of these. Vexen serves as this in Sora's story, in which he is the first Organization member to be rematched, and right in the middle of a WhamEpisode; he is also the first [[spoiler:[[CharacterDeath to be killed off]]]]. In Reverse/Rebirth, this role is given to Zexion, despite being TheUnfought in the GameBoyAdvance version: he attempts to trap Riku in an illusion, only for this to [[NiceJobFixingItVillain backfire]] when Riku stops fighting with his inner darkness and [[IAmWhatIAm finally embraces it]]; he is also the ''last'' Organization member in the game (but not the series) [[spoiler:[[CharacterDeath to be killed off]]]].** In ''[[VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance Kingdom Hearts 3D]]'', Sora has [[spoiler:Xemnas, who appears to drop bombshells about the Organization's purpose and ends Sora's storyline but not the game.]] Riku has [[spoiler:Xehanort's Heartless, and the teenage Xehanort]]. The last one is arguably more challenging than the final boss, who is fought after the villains' main plan is already stopped.* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' loves these. Not only does it have a bunch of them, it likes to spring them on you in groups: three climax bosses in a row, one of whom is [[HopelessBossFight all but unbeatable]]: [[spoiler:Remiel, Kratos, Yggdrasill]]; two in a row: [[spoiler:Pronyma, Yggdrasill]]; two in a row: [[spoiler:Kratos, Origin]].** Thankfully with the first set, winning to boss 2 is optional (all you miss is a ton of experience) and [[HopelessBossFight you can't beat boss 3]].*** Unfortunately, battle 3 of the first set can be a case of [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown kicking you while you're down]] because it occurs regardless of whether or not you win the fight before it, and if you lose the one before it, you start this fight off with only 1 HP.* ''BreathOfFire 3'' had [[spoiler:Garr, the Dragon-slayer]] at the end of [[DiscOneFinalDungeon Angel Tower]], and [[spoiler:the Dragon Elder]] ''much'' later in the game.* ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' has Cackletta's first fight.** ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' has Petey Piranha and, later, [[DualBoss Bowser and Baby Bowser.]]** Alpha/Beta Kretin serves the same role as Petey Piranha did in ''[[VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiBowsersInsideStory Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]''.* The Black Knight/[[spoiler:General Zelgius]] from [[VideoGame/FireEmblemTellius Path of Radiance and Radiant Dawn]].* Dhoulmagus in ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVIII'', and later [[spoiler:Marcello]].* Jenova:LIFE in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' could be seen as one, even though the fight itself isn't too difficult.** However, Hojo at the end of Disc 2 would fit the description most accurately, being late in the plot, being an Act Boss, and also giving his own revelation before going into battle.* Both of the first actual confrontations against Exdeath in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV''. Also unique that both of them have a unique battle theme.* The battle against Luca Blight in ''SuikodenII'' embodies this trope, especially since you have to beat him ''[[SequentialBoss three times in succession]]''.** Duel him with the Hero afterwards.* Both battles with Edea in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII'', and later the battle with Adel.* [[SequentialBoss Garland AND Kuja]] in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX''.* The first battle with [[spoiler: Primarch Dysley/Barthandelus]] in VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII fits this trope perfectly.* Each boss battle with the BigBad Smithy's weapon based minions in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''. Also, Punchinello for being a stand-in to the weapon fight.* Hrist Valkyrie and [[spoiler:Odin]] in ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile2Silmeria''.* ''VideoGame/TalesOfDestiny'' has Lydon.* ''VideoGame/TalesOfVesperia'' has [[spoiler:Barbos]] for the end of Part 1 and [[spoiler:Alexei]] for the end of Part 2.* ''VideoGame/TalesOfLegendia'' has [[spoiler:Vaclav]].* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphoniaDawnOfTheNewWorld'' has Commander Brute, the [[spoiler:apparent]] leader of the Vanguard [[spoiler:and Marta's father]].* ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' has [[spoiler:Van. This is a false ending.]]* ''VideoGame/TalesOfGraces'' continues the tradition with [[spoiler:Emeraude]], who is both this and ThatOneBoss.* In ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia'', it's [[spoiler: Gaius]], who's also an OpenEndedBossBattle.** In ''VideoGame/TalesOfXillia2'', it's [[spoiler: Victor]], who's ''definitely'' ThatOneBoss.* [[spoiler:Miguel, FATE, and the Dragon God]] in ''VideoGame/ChronoCross''.* Magus in ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger''.** From the same game, the HopelessBossFight against Lavos. It's actually winnable if you're of a high enough level, but you'll have to go through the NewGamePlus before you get to that point. And go through NewGamePlus ''several times'' before it ceases to be hard.* [[spoiler:Asmodeus]] in ''VideoGame/StarOcean1''.* Mother in ''VideoGame/{{Wild ARMS 1}}'', and Ziekfried in ''VideoGame/{{Wild ARMs 3}}''.** Vinsfeld Rhadamanthus, BigBad of the first half of WildArms 2, fought at the transition point between the two halves of the game. Bucks tradition by including major plot points immediately after his boss fight, rather than before.* [[spoiler:Shadow Mitsuo]], the boss of Void Quest in ''VideoGame/{{Persona 4}}''. [[spoiler:Both in gameplay because he tends to be [[ThatOneBoss a brick wall for many players]], and in story because the Investigation Team thinks his arrest will bring the end of the kidnappings. [[YourPrincessIsInAnotherCastle It doesn't.]]]]** After this one, there's the bigger climax boss, Kunino-Sagiri, or as he could also be called, [[spoiler:Shadow Namatame. He has kidnapped your little cousin in an attempt to save her ([[ObliviouslyEvil or so he thinks]]), and at this point in time he is supposed to be considered the true killer. He can end up being the final boss of the game if you go with the bad ending. And on top of all that, [[ThatOneBoss he's another stone wall for players.]]]]** Spin-off ''VideoGame/{{Persona Q Shadow Of The Labyrinth}}'' has a minor version in the form of the Old Doll FOE, which counts as this for the third labyrinth. Early on in the dungeon, it's only visible on the map and cannot be actually encountered. Then, it ambushes the player in a cutscene, but you escape. Then comes the last floor before the real boss fight, where it chases you through most of the floor. It ''will'' catch you at least once, and successfully trapping it is very much like a climax for that floor, though neither it nor the dungeon are other* [[spoiler:Isolde]] in ''ManaKhemiaAlchemistsOfAlrevis''. [[CrowningMusicOfAwesome Combined with the awesome song]] [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5FMRpDhhko Nefertiti]], it's easily one of the best boss battles in the game. [[spoiler:And you battle her ''twice''!!]]* Selvaria in ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChronicles'', who stands at the top of a fortress and will rain bullets down upon any fool who's in the open long enough with a {{BFG}}. The strategy to defeat her is long and involved and can easily take several retries if you're not careful.** Selvaria ''again'' in ''VideoGame/ValkyriaChroniclesIII'', because The Nameless is supposed to assassinate Prince Maximilian. Turns out she's the reason why nobody else tried doing this! [[spoiler:And then things goes downhill from there, with The Nameless branded as traitors and Gusurg missing, only to turn out to have switched sides.]]* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfDragoon'' had roughly one per disc. Disc 1 had [[DualBoss Feyrbrand and Graham]] and Freugal (second time), Disc 2 had Lenus (first time) and Disc 3 had the Divine Dragon. Freugal and Divine Dragon were variations in that a lengthy amount of plot was developed after defeating them that had nothing to do with the bosses themselves. In addition, the final bosses to the first three discs usually had a large plot bomb dropped on the player either before or after the fight.* Staying true to the ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' tradition of making sweet, sweet love with this trope, ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'' has several of these.** In the ''Rise of the Zilart'' expansion, [[spoiler:Kam'lanaut]] in the Stellar Fulcrum.** In the ''Chains of Promathia'' expansion, [[spoiler:Tenzen]] on the airship. [[spoiler:Omega and Ultima Weapons]] may count as well.** In the ''Treasures of Aht Urhgan '' expansion, [[spoiler:Gessho]] in Talacca Cove.** Though not yet finished, the Climax Boss of the ''Wings of the Goddess'' expansion seems to be [[spoiler:Cait Sith Ceithir]]. But considering the bombs they love to drop in every set of missions, the final fight of every mission set seems to be a Climax Boss.* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' continues the tradition proudly with Barthandelus, [[spoiler:the true fal'Cie form of Primarch Galenth Dysley]].* In the [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver second]], [[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire third]], and [[VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl fourth]] generations of Pokémon, the fights against [[BigBad the leader of the local crime syndicate]] typically take place immediately before battling the eighth Gym Leader and put an end to the main conflict of the story. In the third and fourth generations, the battle against the game's flagship legendary also takes place in the same scenario. The first generation mixes it up as [[spoiler:Giovanni, the BigBad, ''is'' the eighth Gym Leader.]] The [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite fifth]] generation abandons this formula completely; [[spoiler:the leader, Ghetsis, IS the FinalBoss. Instead, the last Gym Leader acts as a Climax Boss, what with the coolness of the Gym and the difficulty of the fight.]]** The Eighth Gym Leaders in each game usually qualify, especially considering how much time you're going to have to spend LevelGrinding between beating them and tackling the Elite Four. Giovanni is probably the best example from a story perspective, and Claire is probably the best example in terms of [[ThatOneBoss difficulty]].** ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald]]'' have another ClimaxBoss: Norman, the fifth Gym Leader, and the player's father. Despite the fact that his Gym is closest to home, he refuses to fight you until you beat the other four Gym Leaders. During the entire first half of the game, growing strong enough to challenge Norman is the player's primary goal. Beating him allows the player to use the Surf TM, unlocking the right half of the Hoenn region. Surpassing your father is what really gets you noticed by various [=NPCs=]. And Norman represents a massive spike in difficulty compared to the other Gym Leaders. The [[VideoGameRemake remakes]] makes this even more apparent by adding particular focus on Norman's battle and its aftermath, wherein he sees you off as you and Wally set out for the other half of Hoenn and he even smiles at how proud he is at you surpassing him.* ''RadiataStories'' features a branching storyline that ultimately sees the main character on one side or the other of a war. Each side has Jack visiting the Fire Dragon's volcano approximately 3/4 of the way through the game, though; in the Human Path Jack attacks and slays the Fire Dragon, while in the Fairy Path Jack tries to ''prevent'' the Fire Dragon's death, fails, and engages in a HopelessBossFight against Cross.* [[spoiler:Dread Joker]] in MegamanStarforce 3, arguably. [[spoiler:The fights against Jack Corvus and Queen Virgo inside Meteor G]] could also count, though they're both [[spoiler:directly before the FinalBoss]].* ''VideoGame/SkiesOfArcadia'' features quite a few. There are two [[HopelessBossFight Hopeless Boss Fights]] against Ramirez, and [[spoiler:the fight against Galcian's fleet and Galcian himself near the end.]] The fights against the Gigas and the other Admirals, whether in their ships or in hand-to-hand combat could count.* ''VideoGame/AdventureQuestWorlds'' gives us the Lords of Chaos, who are all [[ClimaxBoss Climax Bosses]] save for Discordia (who wasn't really a Chaos Lord) and Kimberly (other than the health bars which players on all servers worked to get their health bars down to 0 during the One-Eyed Doll Live Event, although Kimberly had the ability to heal the health bar a few times). There's also quite a few non-Chaos Lord bosses that have special challenges for fighting them.** Escherion: While the Staff of Inversion is alive, Escherion does not take any damage.** Vath: If you attack Vath first, Stalagbite will stomp the whole party to death for massive damage. If you attack Stalagbite first, your damage is significantly reduced when attacking Vath.** Kitsune: He'll shapeshift into a giant Kitsune that's immune to your attacks for a while. Wait until he reverts back to normal to continue damaging him.** Wolfwing: He'll heal himself up to five times per fight, and once his HP drops below 10,000, that's where he starts going berserk.** French Horned Toadragon: Every once in a while, the toad will use an attack that petrifies as many players as it wants for at least two attacks.** Ledgermayne: Every once in a while, it will stop to charge up a powerful attack. Enter the glowing safe zones that open up when this happens to avoid damage. The safe zones will heal you when you're in them.** Tibicenas: He'll steal HP from as much players as possible up to eight times per fight. When his HP hits below 5,500 and he heals for the sixth time, that's where he goes berserk.** Ultra-Tibicenas: Same as Tibicenas, except he steals HP more often, goes berserk when his HP hits below 20,000, and, worse yet, petrifies you every once in a while.** Baron Luca: As an {{Expy}} of Dracula from ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'', he, at half-health, turns into his demonic bat form, just like Dracula himself, which deals a bit more damage than his first form.** Moganth, Udaroth, Cellot, Zellare [[spoiler:, & Desoloth]]: Same as Ledgermayne, except the damage of their charged attacks is lower and only does about 500-700 damage, and you don't have to enter any glowing safe zones to avoid the attack.** Gruaige Baas: She'll petrify you for a few seconds with a laser attack every once in a while, plus, also every once in a while, except later, she charges powerful attacks and hits for about 500-600 damage.** Khasaanda: She can sometimes lock your skills for a few minutes when you use them, plus she can forsee all attacks every once in a while and counter them with the same amount of damage you would've dealt to her for a few seconds.** Iadoa: Can freeze you in time for several seconds, cannot be stunned, and unless you have either the Chaotic Hourglass or the Dragonoid of Hours in your inventory, he can do a powerful Astral Shift attack that does massive amounts of damage.** Chaos Manticore: He can poison you, which does Damage Over Time that gets worse as the fight goes on unless cleansed with the water of the waterfall in the arena, and once you cleanse the poison, you cannot access the waterfall again for about 60 seconds.** Lionfang: Has a Damage Over Time effect similar to that of his Beast, only there's no way to cleanse the effect. In addition, his Essence Draining attack puts the stun on you for several seconds and cuts your damage and healing in half.* ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork 6''. [[spoiler: Colonel, [=MegaMan=]'s former ally in the previous game, who [=MegaMan=] refuses to fight throughout the game until he realizes that words cannot get through to him.]] Among his new attacks is a finishing move that is used once your HP reaches a certain point. If it connects, you are instantly killed unless [=MegaMan=] is equipped with [[LastChanceHitPoint Under Shirt]].* Marquess Darin of Laus and Sonia Reed in ''FireEmblem: The Blazing Sword''. The latter is, bizarrely, completely optional.** ''VideoGame/FireEmblemTheSacredStones'' has: Tirado, Carlyle (Eirika's route), [[spoiler:Vigarde]] (Ephraim's), Orson, and [[spoiler:Lyon]].* ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' has three, each accompanied by a common boss battle theme: Gangrel at the end of the first act, [[spoiler:Walhart]] at the end of the second act, and [[spoiler:Validar]] just a few chapters before the end of the game.* [[spoiler:The Arishok at the end of Act II]] in ''VideoGame/DragonAgeII''. This victory earns Hawke the title of "Champion". This in turn makes Hawke the most important person in Kirkwall, which forces Hawke to take sides in the [[spoiler:Mage-Templar]] conflict in Act III.* ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'' has these at the end (or near the end) of each Act:** Act I: Algus. [[spoiler:Ramza figures out that his brothers are dicks.]]** Act II: Cardinal Draclau[[spoiler:/Queklainn. Oh my Ajora, the Lucavi are real!]]** Act III has two, back to back.*** Wiegraf [[spoiler:/Velius. [[TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget The Dark Side Made Him Forget]] why he's fighting Ramza in the first place.]]*** Marquis Elmdore and his bodyguards, Celia and Lettie. [[spoiler:Alma is to be the vessel of Ultima.]]** Act IV: Dycedarg, your elder brother[[spoiler:/Adrammelech. This is the end of Beoulve family.]]* ''BatenKaitos'' seems to have an affinity for these: the first game has [[spoiler:Geldoblame]], [[spoiler:Kalas]], and the final fight with Giacomo, Ayme, and Folon; the second game has [[spoiler:Guillo]], [[spoiler:Shananth]], and [[spoiler:Wiseman]], though the last of those is actually hidden away in a sidequest.* Ornstein and Smough from ''VideoGame/DarkSouls''. Epic music, extremely challenging, and takes place in a huge and grand hall. Defeating the pair is the final test before receiving your next major task after ringing the Bells of Awakening.* [[spoiler:Commander Gore]] in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiStrangeJourney'' if you follow the Law or Chaos routes. He is regarded as one of the hardest bosses in the entire game, and will [[TheComputerIsACheatingBastard restore half of his full HP when you first get it down to 0]]. Luckily, if you go Neutral, then this fight is avoided, as you are fighting for the good of humankind.** Uriel and Raphael, Michael, and the fake YHVH in ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiII''. They're all fought sequentially, mark the game's first major climax (these are the ones [[BigBadDuumvirate responsible for everything wrong up to this point]], and even get new boss music. After beating them, however, more plot twists emerge and new villains (namely Lucifer, Satan, and the real YHVH) are revealed.* ''Videogame/ShiningTheHolyArk'' has you fight Rilix after you learn that the King is nothing but a [[PuppetKing puppet]] and that she plans to revive the thousand year kingdom. Oh, and she plans to kill you.* ''VideoGame/{{Xenoblade}} Chronicles'': [[spoiler:Egil, the leader of the Mechon. Then later the Disciples of Zanza.]]* In ''VideoGame/{{EarthBound}}'', most of the problems in the Eagleland section (Onett to Fourside) was caused by the Mani Mani Statue sent by Giygas. The statue manipulated six people directly and large crowds though them and is finally confronted by Ness and Jeff in an illusion world it created. It's not a defenseless statue, though, and fights back. Destroying it lets everyone in Fourside manipulated by it go back to normal. [[spoiler:Except for Pokey/Porky.]]* ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'' allows you to come face-to-face with [[BigBad Saren]] on Virmire, right after you learn the [[EldritchAbomination true nature]] of Sovereign, the [[SentientStarship starship]] he's been using to wreak havoc around the galaxy and brainwash people to his will, along with [[AbusivePrecursors its goals]]. He possesses powers from all three of the [[ClassAndLevelSystem skill trees]] available in the game and is an example of HeadsIWinTailsYouLose, considering that no matter how much damage you do him he gets away scot-free, leaving you to make a SadisticChoice on whether to save [[spoiler:Kaidan or Ashley]] when you destroy his base.** ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'' has the mission on the abandoned Collector ship featuring ''that'' game's BigBad, Harbinger, whom you never directly confront but rather have to defeat his multiple drones which he can VillainOverride. This isn't your first time confronting such an avatar, but that occasion falls under WakeUpCallBoss. This is right after you learn that his plan for an AlienAbduction is considerably larger in scale than believed, and that the Collectors are all that's left of [[spoiler:the [[BenevolentPrecursors Protheans]]]].** ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'''s closest equivalent is the fight on Thessia, where the underpinnings of the Asari culture are totally undermined, [[TheDragon Kai Leng]] steals the secret of the McGuffin that you've been trying to construct in order to have any chance of winning or surviving the war with [[AbusivePrecursors the Reapers]], and like in ''VideoGame/MassEffect1'', is another HeadsIWinTailsYouLose.* [[spoiler:Templar Octienne]], [[spoiler:the Balor]], and Gadflow in ''KingdomsOfAmalurReckoning''.* Cordelia's dragon form in ''VideoGame/ChildOfLight'', which happens shortly after a huge revelation ([[spoiler: Nox's betrayal]]) in the game. Her battle music is also different from the normal boss music.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Shoot 'em Up]]* Alltynex from Siter Skain {{Kamui}} is probably the games most important bossfight.** Raiwat Virgo from the sequal RefleX might count aswell.* Dread Bomber in ''{{Raiden}} II'' is the last boss before you go into space, has [[SequentialBoss four forms]], and is considerably harder than previous bosses.* The penultimate boss of ''VideoGame/{{Einhander}}'', Schwarzitgiest. After defeating the boss leads to the game's WhamEpisode.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Stealth Based Game]]* The Hind-D gunship, piloted by the BigBad, in the original ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid''.** Colonel Volgin and the Shagohod in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater''.** The fight against Metal Gear Ray in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots''.** Cunningham in ''VideoGame/MetalGearPortableOps''.* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII'' has the first fight with Rodrigo Borgia. Especially once [[spoiler:the other Assassins arrive]].* ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII'' has Connor against [[spoiler:his father Haytham]], mainly since he's a far more effective swordsman than any other enemy in the game and requires a [[PuzzleBoss specific move to beat him]]. He actually feels more like a final boss than the [[AntiClimaxBoss actual]] [[CutsceneBoss final boss.]]* Father Dagon from ''VideoGame/CallOfCthulhuDarkCornersOfTheEarth''.* FossilFighters does this twice, first with a showdown of OlympusMons, then [[spoiler:against the leader of an alien race of dinosaur people before even learning about the FinalBoss.]][[/folder]]

[[folder: Strategy Game]]* ''[[VideoGame/GalaxyAngel Galaxy Angel]]'' -- the first fight with Noa in the Black Moon's core.* The [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Grand Zamboa]] in ''[[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsZ Third Super Robot Wars Z: Jigoku-hen]]'' because the Anti-Spiral was pretty much the General in charge of this "battalion" of the Ba'al with something like half the villainous series used under his authority. The entire original story practically surrounded what he was doing in the background.In a lot of ways, he was kind of like what the Aerogators were to the entire Balmar Empire in the Alpha series. Everything in the story was leading up to the encounter with the Anti-Spiral. [[/folder]]

[[folder: Third Person Shooter]]* The Lupino Showdown from the original ''VideoGame/MaxPayne'', which has Max fighting roughly thirteen mooks that swarm in one after another after him before Jack Lupino himself makes his entrance with two of his personal guard and a sawed-off shotgun. He's also hopped up on drugs and completely insane.* ''SinAndPunishment'' has the battle against Kachua, which actually shares its battle theme with the final boss, and where Saki first transforms into a monster.** The second has the fight at the end of Stage 6, a lengthy, 3-stage ordeal, ending in a hand-to-hand fight, and ultimately resulting in one of the characters being knocked out, and the other transforming into a monster in order to storm the final level.* [[TheDragon Skorge]] in GearsOfWar 2.* ''[[StarFox Starfox 64]]'' has the Star Wolf fight on Fortuna/Fichina. The other two fights are fought too late to be considered this.[[/folder]]

!!Non-video game examples:

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]* In ''HollowFields'', [[TheRival Summer]] [[AlphaBitch Polanski]] serves this role [[spoiler:with her DeathTrap]]. After two volumes of [[KickTheDog tormenting Lucy Snow]] and indirectly threatening her with detention, she makes the decision to [[MoralEventHorizon go all the way]] and [[spoiler:outright attempt to kill her]]. Escaping this situation requires Lucy to [[FinalExamBoss use the skills she learned up to this point]], as well as [[FireForgedFriends team up with Claude]] and [[IndyPloy act on the fly]]. She then goes on to confront the BigBad in Volume 3.* In ''KillLaKill'', [[spoiler: Nui Harime]] is first fought immediately after revealing that [[spoiler: she was Isshin's killer]].[[/folder]]----